Ancient Books

Today I saw some ancient books,
Five hundred plus years old,
With illustrations brightly hued
And accented in gold.

Calligraphied in perfect print,
They really blew my mind,
Surviving all these years
And waiting there for me to find.

On display within the Cloisters
And protected under glass,
Just a page or two is visible
To visitors who pass.

Yet I think of those who sat and toiled
By candlelight, now gone,
Who’d be shocked that centuries later
All their efforts still live on.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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Callus Avatar
July 12, 2023 at 1:27 AM
This poem truly appeals to me, Ilene! I do a lot of historical research, and the time I spend in the company of such books and similar documents gives me a lot of satisfaction. ~ Regards // paul
Wolf Avatar
July 11, 2023 at 7:16 PM
I'll just betcha none of those books catered to the LBGTQ+ crowd. Ha, ha!
Bauer Avatar
July 18, 2023 at 12:04 PM
Very true, Gershon, but one of them was a Haggadah! It was beautiful…
Allison Avatar
July 11, 2023 at 1:38 PM
oh what a wonderful relic to be viewed by so many so many years after they were created. i wonder if folk will be reading our poems in 500 years time, probably not but it would be nice if they were lol:-) hugs Jan xx
Green Avatar
July 11, 2023 at 12:38 PM
Loved this Ilene and that definitely is something to think about. What exactly would they think
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